New language centre director brings extensive experience in Danish language teaching and integration
Driven by people’s potential
Since the mid-1990s, Lilian Olsen has been teaching Danish to newcomers, motivated by a genuine curiosity about her students’ backgrounds and their potential. For her, teaching Danish is about far more than words and grammar – it is about giving people the tools they need to take part fully in Danish society.
Even in a time when artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly and English is widely used in the workplace, she believes Danish remains the key to deeper integration. It is about being able to read letters from the authorities, take part in parent–teacher meetings, talk with in-laws, or start a conversation with a neighbour. Language is also the gateway to Danish culture – including its humour, wordplay, and shared references.
A career spanning local and global experience
Lilian’s path into language and integration work began with a master’s degree in history and Arabic in 1995, followed by a temporary position at Copenhagen Language Centre and then a role at the Danish Refugee Council’s language school. Her career took her abroad through postings with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the USA, Uganda, and Niger, where she worked on microcredit projects and school initiatives.
Back in Denmark, she continued her work in the language centre sector as a teacher, module tester, examiner, intake assessor, and project coordinator. She has also taught quota refugees in Asia and Africa as part of the Danish Immigration Service’s pre-departure courses.
Since 2022, she has been part of SIRI’s mobile assessment team and most recently worked as coordinator for substitute teacher coverage and intake at UCplus in Copenhagen.
Committed to collaboration and the right learning environment
Lilian brings to Holbæk a wealth of experience from teaching, intake assessment, coordination, and project management – both in Denmark and internationally. She looks forward to using this broad background to create the best possible environment for both students and teachers. Collaboration with the municipalities of Holbæk and Odsherred will be a key part of her work, with the ambition of making the language centre a strong and visible presence in the local community.